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Welcome to our little place on the web, we're glad you stopped by:) My name is Julie, I live, love, laugh & learn with my husband and 2 sons, ages 12 & 9, in the high desert of Northern Utah. We have a 1/4 acre here in the city, where we grow garden stuffs, keep chickens and cater to our canine companion, Echo, as well as to each other:)

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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Two weekends ago we took a roadtrip down to Moab, Utah. Besides listening to some stories from 'The Raven and Selected Short Stories' audiobook by Edgar Allan Poe and 'Galileo and The Stargazers' audiobook, the boys did lots of reading while in the car and while lounging in the cabin that we stayed at in the mornings and evenings before and after exploring.

reading together in the morning in the cabin

Damek spotted the latest 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' book at Costco the night before we headed out (he's read all the previous books), so then Kyan decided that he wanted to read the series from the start. Lee & Kyan went to the library and checked out the first 2 books in the series for him to read on our trip. It was neat to listen to the two of them having conversations about what was going on in each of the respective books that they were reading. Kyan would also ask Damek what page he was on in his book and then tell Damek what page he was currently on. Definitely made for some cool connecting time between the two of them.

Kyan finished the first book in the series while on our roadtrip. When we got home he wanted to check out the second 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' movie, 'Rodrick Rules' at the library before reading the second book, which we did. He watched the movie a couple of times, and then started on the second book, which as of now he is about 3/4 of the way through.

Kyan reading the second Diary of a Wimpy Kid in bed last night using a book light.

Words Of Wisdom

"If you want to measure, measure generously. If you want to give, give generously. If you want to unschool or be a mindful parent, give, give, give. You'll find that in a few years that you still have everything you thought you had given away and more."-Sandra Dodd

"Gauge how much to do and when by your child’s reactions. Let her say no thanks. Let her choose. Let her interest set the pace. If it takes years, let it take years. If it lasts an hour, let it last an hour."

—Joyce Fetteroll

"Learning flows when needs are met, connections are strong, and kids can absolutely trust their parents, and know their parents are there for them. Some of the core values of natural learning are trust, support, joy, and freedom. You are putting up scaffolding for years and years of learning by the choices you make now."

—Caren Knox

"Life can never be perfect, but mothers have the power to make it a little better, a little better, and a little better."

—Sandra Dodd

"Don't become emotionally invested in your child's choices. If you want to invest your emotions, invest them in creating an atmosphere where kids feel supported in trying what appeals to them AND turning down what doesn't."